Flames make a case for being the home team in Regina outdoor game against Jets

Winnipeg Jets' Bryan Little (18) checks Calgary Flames' Derek Ryan (10) during first period NHL action in Winnipeg on Thursday, December 27, 2018. The NHL lauded all things Saskatchewan on Friday as it officially announced the outdoor Heritage Classic will be played in a non-NHL city for the first time. The Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets will square off at Mosaic Stadium on Oct. 26. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

REGINA — The NHL's outdoor game in Regina may be a home game for the Winnipeg Jets, but the Calgary Flames are staking a claim to it.

The NHL lauded all things Saskatchewan at Friday's news conference launching its marketing campaign for the 2019 Heritage Classic on Oct. 26 at Mosaic Stadium.

A non-NHL or "neutral" city will be the host of the Heritage Classic for the first time.

The Jets will be the home team in the regular-season game, but the Flames emphasized the franchise's Saskatchewan connections including ownership group chair Murray Edwards, who hails from Regina.

Late owners Daryl "Doc" Seaman was from Rouleau, just south of Regina, and John "Bud" McCaig was born in Moose Jaw.

President, chief operating officer and Saskatoon product John Bean pointed to the number of the province's expats who live in Calgary and show up to CFL games there en masse wearing green and white.

"Notwithstanding we are the visiting team for this game, we are without hesitation considering the 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic, a home game for the Calgary Flames," Bean declared to assembled media in Regina.

"In this age of political correctness, we loyal Saskatchewan transplants like to say when it comes to sports in Calgary, we are red on the outside and green on the inside.

"For one night only, we hope to have a sea of red in Regina. We all know we're still green on the inside."

The NHL also marked Saskatchewan as its territory extolling the 514 men from the province who have played in the league.